Chapter Text
The Munson name has always been cursed. Eddie’s dead beat dad swore it went back to puritanical times and the Salem witch trials resulting in the hex on their lineage. Generations of Munson men bestowed upon them a beastly secret. Wayne knew about it without ever having to personally experience it.
When Eddie's dad was sentenced to as good as life in prison he was dumped on Wayne’s doorstep at ten years old. He'd had to bounce around some foster homes until his guardianship with Wayne was approved. Being ten and abandoned and cursed was hard to keep your secret at bay.
The thing about the curse was it was passed on. Wayne was the oldest Munson son in his father’s generation so it should've been him. Instead it skipped to Eddie’s father. Maybe the curse knew Wayne was too kind, too moral, too good to carry the unsavory implications. The distracted thinking and the heightened senses which often lent itself to the below legal ways of making a living.
The curse was transferred when the one carrying it had a son of their own to pass it onto. Eddie didn’t ask for this- who would? He wondered if his absentee dad had fathered more offspring if he’d still be the one burdened with it.
He knew he wasn’t close to the kind of man Wayne was, but he helped save the goddamn town, maybe even the world? He also knew he wasn’t his father. All he knew for certain is that he’d be the last afflicted- since Eddie would never have kids.
Through the throes of the upside down, being an accused serial killer, an assumed cult leader, and a literal dungeon master- Eddie still carried his secret.
Steve Harrington dragged his bleeding out corpse from the pits of a man made hell of science fiction fantasy levels. Dustin crying over his mostly lifeless form and barely traceable pulse. Robin and Nancy wrapping him up tight so his viscera stayed inside his body as they lifted it back through to their world and got him to safety-
And yet,
He kept his secret.
He was terrified he’d have to come clean over it in the hospital. Eddie came to with immediate terror- sweating and panting and frantically checking for any signs of his furry surprise.
Of the smallest ounces of luck in his life it hadn’t lined up with the need to change form. Two things about Eddie, he rarely stopped talking or moving and he was perpetually unlucky.
Even with these horror bonded friendships, people he frankly battled side by side with, Eddie didn’t know how to tell them.
Didn’t know if he could even form the words or if part of the curse would make them unspeakable. Mangle them in his throat before they crept past his lips and took shape.
Who the fuck believed you if you told them your entire paternal line passed down a curse of not just being able to but sometimes having to turn into a dog.
His life was a doggone joke.
Woof, jeez. He thought to himself not for the first time.
Woof was right.
Wasn’t that a bitch?
Eddie had never even tried to tell another soul. Sure he cracked jokes only he understood but that was because if he didn’t he’d go barking mad.
The fact of the matter was it was so totally unimaginable.
It was astonishing.
Unbelievable.
Down right silly.
Yet as he lived and breathed (dog breath and all) it was the fucking truth.
***
It wasn’t like every night Eddie turned into a dog. There was more of a pull around the phases of the moon and pagan holidays, equinoxes and solstices. It wasn’t like Eddie sought out the satanic and witchy shit he was accused of. It often gave him insight when the need would be stronger.
He liked to believe he had some control over it but the urge to change, to shift into the comfort of another form could become like a primal twist in his brain. Overwhelming. A howling sensation to run on all fours and forget his day.
Take Halloween for instance, the past few years Gareth and Jeff assumed he was up in Indy at some metal head bar listening to music and finding someone to party with as he peddled drugs to make some cash.
In reality he was rolling on dead worms, following a scent trail, barking at a stray cat and perusing through the Loch Nora neighborhoods to pee on mailboxes and root through the trash.
Not super hardcore- but damn pissing on rich people’s stuff never got old in his instinct driven doggie brain. The reward system lit up when he let the hindbrain win out over his rational thought unfortunately that was sometimes a problem that carried into his human life too.
Overall Eddie didn’t find the curse a major hindrance.
Especially after the mind-fuckery of Vecna it was a welcomed retreat.
He could understand people talking to him in that form but everything was a lot broader in concepts and ideas often it was hard to pin down his attention span.
He interpreted the world through scents and feelings. Intuition he lacked as his humanoid self filled his entire being when he was just a scraggly dumpster diving over-sized mutt amongst the backdrop of Hawkins, Indiana.
His distractions easy to follow with no punishment. Tuning into instincts and not worrying about human Eddie troubles. A dog yowling and barking in the middle of the night was a hell of a lot easier to pass off than a previously accused serial killer screaming himself awake from yet another nightmare.
As his body fully healed -scars still ugly and raw at some edges. His abdomen like patchwork begging for more tattoos to make it feel more like him. Eddie allowed himself the creature comfort of, well, turning into a creature.
The process wasn’t not painful but the distraction was all too comfortable. He remembered as a child crying out as his body overrode his will power forcing him to turn. The less he fought it the less it hurt.
The more he welcomed it the more it hurt like a promise, an escape.
Grounding pain.
A generational curse was the one thing keeping him sane right now.
It had always been a burden throughout his life but now it was helping him cope. Surely that wasn’t the intention of the initial curse. The dark humor wasn’t lost on him as he sunk down to all fours and let his thoughts melt into feelings, hands into paws, and instincts override and take control.
***
It was strange the way once Vecna was deemed defeated, chief Hopper resurrected, Russians at bay and a small buzz-headed girl with superpowers back in Hawkins it helped the chasm that ran through town close up. The ash raining down over their town suspended immediately.
It was even more strange that barely anyone questioned it.
Every day type folks chalking it up to a natural disaster. Fuck even Steve and Robin were back working meaningless shifts at Family Video helping the masses distract from the literal hell that was clawing out from under their town a mere three months ago.
Eddie felt like he was living in a simulation. The void staring back. It made him want to tear at his hair in frustration and let out a low growl from the depths of his body.
How could everyone just go back to playing at normal? He felt like he was just getting by. Fake it ‘til ya make it, right?
The bell above a newly renovated Family Video chimed as Eddie walked in all ripped black jeans, jangling wallet chain, and well worn Megadeth tee swagger to find Steve restocking videos and Robin sitting on the countertop popping her bubblegum and shoving away the magazine she’d been perusing as he entered.
“Eddie! Yes! I could use a distraction, Steve is next level boring today.” Robin said steeped in happiness.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa Robs. First screw you! Second off, all damn day today all you’ve done is sit on your ass and ask prying questions!” Steve huffed in frustration. Cream colored shirt with red and orange stripes on the short sleeves pulling at his sun-kissed and toned biceps as he folded his arms in a disapproving mother act.
Eddie put his hands up, “Alright you two, calm down, or do I need to run interference?”
“She started it.” Steve turned away and grumbled from the aisle he was in.
Robin, wide-eyed and freckle-faced mouthed the word ‘sensitive’ to Eddie.
He brought his horribly overdue movies up to Robin, “These might be a liiiittle late.” He said sheepishly as he bounced on the balls of his feet in his new squeaky clean too-white Reeboks.
His original pair was an already worn in thrift store find, almost new.
The actual new ones he had now were stiff and unfamiliar.
She snorted and waived the fees, “What, late? You- really? Hmm doesn’t look like it in the system.” She cocked her head and played along.
“You’re an angel Robbie.” Eddie grinned.
“What can I say? I look out for the lost souls with late fees.” She quipped back, “Patron saint of inept VHS renters.”
“What’s eating him?” Eddie asked throwing a glance towards a still sulking Steve.
Robin leaned in and lowered her voice, “I asked him why he canceled another date and he went off on me all-“ She made finger quotes in the air, “ ‘Robs it was the end of the world can I catch a break’ so later I pointed out a cute blonde and he snapped at me that his ‘sole purpose isn’t taking chicks out and getting them off’- which, like, vulgar, but okaaay.” She rambled away as Eddie nodded along.
He did agree that Steve seemed in his head lately. Which is something he’d never have thought before in his pre-upside down life. King Steve having thoughts under all that hair? No fucking way.
“Ergo, sensitive.” She shrugged as she flipped another page in the magazine.
Eddie smirked at her. He enjoyed ruffling Steve’s feathers. It was true he hadn’t picked up any town gossip recently about King Steve and his conquests. That talk spread like wildfire usually with Gareth or Jeff bringing it up to him in some weird ass round of telephone. As if Eddie had the intel to confirm or deny the rumors. Steve and Tiffany, or Sarah, or was it Caitlyn now?
Guess none of it really mattered since most was just talk.
The upside down brought them all closer but he wouldn’t quite consider Steve a friend the way Robin was. He knew Steve and Robin were a packaged deal, but just because Robin liked spending time with Eddie didn’t mean Steve always did.
It still surprised him how withdrawn the other man could be. Someone who had been known for their gaggle of followers to be such a self-imposed recluse. A real hovering mother hen with the younger ones. Nothing like what had earned him his high school King title.
Eddie sidled up to Steve. He stiffened and let out a curt, “Munson.”
“My fairest most fearsome King, would you be willing to recommend a movie to a poor commoner, weary of his travels, such as myself?” Eddie knew Steve loathed the use of King about him.
Steve turned and poked Eddie in the chest, not knowing how the proximity and contact had Eddie’s heartbeat tick up or the way he’d be able to smell Steve on him long after leaving the store- gotta love those canine senses.
Unfortunately his canine senses loved the way Steve smelled.
“Why don’t you ask Robs, you’re just gonna make fun of my suggestions.” He said in a clipped tone.
“Oooh someone’s hackles are raised today, where’s the fun in askin’ Robbie if she’s gonna gimme all the indie shit she likes and I’m gonna tempt her into screening some B list horror? Predictable, boring.” Eddie lamented.
Robin hollered to them, “I resent that! I have impeccable taste!”
Eddie volleyed, “Never said you didn’t!”
He lowered his voice. “But Stevie I never know what you’ll suggest, makes it interesting. I had initially assumed all you watched was meat-headed action films, but I was wrong.”
Eddie wasn’t sure if it was the lighting or if Steve’s cheekbones had taken on a pinkish hue due to his words and their shared space. Barely breathing room between the two of them. Maybe it was just wishful thinking?
“Fuck off Munson, sometimes RomComs are fun.” Steve said giving Eddie a glare.
“Wanna do a movie night tonight? I’ll see what Nance and Jonathan are up to, maybe smoke a bit?” Robin asked.
All afternoon had been painstakingly dead at the Video Rental store.
Steve rolled his eyes, “If you guys aren’t complete assholes you can come over to mine, just please, no munchkins, I had Dustin, Will, Max, and Lucas over in the pool yesterday and I don’t think I can take another minute of teen drama.”
“I’ll bring the goods, your Royal highness,” Eddie giggled at his own pun while Steve gave him a deadpan look, “I mean if Jonathan comes I’m sure he will too.” Eddie winked.
Steve stepped back giving them more space, Eddie knew if he was in his dog form his tail would’ve drooped from being brushed off. He could feel it even as he stood two-legged in front of him shoulders curling slightly in on himself.
Steve cleared his throat, “The kids are on about some stray that keeps coming up to Max at the trailer park, have you seen it?”
It was Eddie’s turn to get flustered, “Um, maybe? Lotsa unclaimed pets in that area. Little four-legged pals just passing through fed by some, owned by none.” He tried to infuse nonchalance in his tone.
“Max swears it’s keeping an eye on her, helped her grab her cane when it got knocked down the other day. Says it’s a pretty big dog, so just keep an eye out? When I used to do my rounds um, after the first encounter I’d sometimes see a pretty large dog out that way. I know I sound crazy but like big. Scruffy, long limbed, floppy dark ears.” Steve finished by tugging an errant strand of Eddie’s hair and eyed him.
Eddie nodded. Reeling inside from the casual touch. He knew Steve had seen a pretty large dog out that way. At the time Eddie was insatiably curious as to why Steve the hair Harrington was up at 2am trailing a baseball bat behind him and looking like a literal walking corpse with fear cascading off of him in tidal waves.
As the patrols continued he’d talk nonsense to dog-Eddie. One particularly bad night Eddie fully approached and let Steve pet him to prove he wasn’t a figment of imagination.
The guy was beat to shit and what looked like seconds away from a full blown panic attack- Eddie wasn’t heartless. He’d usually just follow along in the shadows and keep an eye.
Now that he knew he was equal parts relieved the boy hadn’t been losing his mind back then and wished he never found out the reason why Steve did those late night patrols. The ones that had Eddie’s senses tingling and nose sniffing as he had trailed behind him those years ago.
Eddie feigned recognition, “Oh, yeah. Big dog like that? Definitely seen ‘em around. Think it belongs to one of the junkyards near the trailer park. Seems a friendly enough sort.”
He nodded appeased by Eddie’s answer, “Yeah a total gentle giant let me get close enough to pet it one time, apparently allows the kids to rub his ears.”
Eddie felt himself get a little embarrassed at that it wasn’t like anyone knew it was him. It felt indescribably damn good having someone rub his ears and pet him while he laid in the sunshine spot outside of Max’s trailer.
Steve continued taking the comment at face value, why would anyone suspect their friend could change into an animal? Even friends who’ve gone through weird shit together.
“Oh thank god it belongs to someone, I was afraid I’d head home today to pleading teens and a sad-eyed dog and have to convince them that even though my parents fuck off to who knows where does not mean I can take on having a pet! Can you believe what a disaster that’d be?” Steve laughed off in a borderline unhinged way.
“Disaster, why?” Eddie asked as someone finally walked in and forced Robin to interact with a customer and not keep pretending not to watch them.
Steve rubbed the back of his neck, “I’ve never had a pet, wouldn’t even know where to start. My parents would tell me I’m way too irresponsible.”
Eddie let out a howl of a laugh, “You’re kidding, right? You keep a group of kids alive in a place that shouldn’t exist and continue to babysit and feed them regularly, I think a dog would be easier.”
Steve’s eyes went wide, “Well, when you put it like that. It’d probably give me way less back talk than those idiots.” He chuckled.
Eddie laughed along he allowed himself a moment to think of what it’d feel like if Steve was the one who babied him in dog form throwing him scraps and rubbing his belly. It made some kind of warning alarms light up in his skull- do not play with fire Edward Munson.
Robin rang up the woman’s rental and called out, “Thanks for coming into Family Video today!” As she left.
Steve and Eddie met her back by the counter, “Pick some movies? I’ll scoop up Robbie and meet over at yours around, 7? 8?” Eddie asked.
“Whenever, yeah 7 works- Robs wanna just come straight to mine?” Steve offered.
She shook her head, “If Eddie doesn’t mind getting me on the way I’d like to shower and see my folks for a minute.”
Eddie gave a funny salute from his forehead, “Ay, ay captain Robbie I’ll swing by around 645 to getcha!”
He made his was back to his van with an itch under his skin to go run the preserve and occupy his mind with nature before their movie night. He made a mental note to give Max some space.
His protective instincts had increased tenfold since she came home from the hospital using a cane to help balance her stride and a slight loss of sight. He knew he was still Eddie when he shifted into the dog, it was hard not to let the human and canine wires get crossed, because those gremlins made his heart sing pack.
***
Eddie utilized his afternoon pacing himself in the wilderness letting his nose sidetrack him wherever he pleased. Tracking scent trails and kicking back leaves to let his own scent mingle in a territorial way. The full moon was four days away and he could feel the pull of the magic that coursed through him, that forced him into this.
Today didn’t feel like a burden though it felt like a low buzz, a thrumming of instinct keeping his mind and body busy. Knowing he had time with friends to fill the evening made him more at ease. He took in the shadows and the sun aware he’d have to turn back towards the trailer park if he was going to be on time to gather Robin.
Eddie got back to where he hid his clothing and redressed on unsteady two legs before heading to the shiny new government funded two bedroom trailer to Wayne relaxing in front of the fan before his warehouse shift.
“Out for a nature run, kid?” He asked brow dripping sweat at the late June heat. Too early in the summer to be this warm out.
Eddie nodded, “You got it Waynie clearing my head or something like it.” He dipped his head to drink water from the tap in the kitchen.
“Y’know they make these things called cups? Real useful for holding water.” He sighed sarcastically from his perch on the couch.
Eddie shook his head, hair fanning out and dispersing the excess water that had dripped, “You don’t say?” He replied with his head cocked to one side.
Wayne huffed at his antics, “Just ‘cause you turn into a mutt doesn’t mean I didn’t raise you with no manners, boy.”
It was an old line of banter an argument they’d played out a million different ways. Eddie secretly loved it, the same way Wayne secretly loved to dole it out.
He faked an exaggerated scratch behind his ear getting Wayne to finally laugh, “I’m actually gonna grab a shower, movie night tonight with some friends.”
“Boy?” Wayne said before he walked off.
Eddie turned to listen.
“I don’t rightly know the details of what’ya been through but I’m glad you’ve got some close pals out of it.” He said apropos of nothing.
Eddie gave him a small smile, “Yeah Wayne it was absolute shit what we went through- but I’m glad I’ve gotten to know them all too.”
“If you ever need’ta talk you know I know a thing or two about bonding with war buddies.” He gave Eddie a knowing look.
Wayne had gotten an NDA and vague details of the upside down. Someday Eddie would fill him in on it, but it all still felt too close now. An oozing unhealing wound if he didn’t stop picking at it.
Eddie nodded, “Noted Wayne and,” He paused for a moment before continuing quietly, “Thank you.”
Wayne gave him a little salute, “Now shower, I can smell ya over here, remember deodorant!” He hollered at Eddie’s laughing and retreating form.
***
Eddie parked two houses away from Robin’s. Her parents were still cagey about him and his loud music and his prior unfounded serial killer suspicion. He didn’t blame them but it was bullshit.
He did the same for Jeff when he picked him up his parents hadn’t cared for Eddie or the club long before the murder allegations. Gareth’s folks didn’t give a shit his mother was a saint who always gave Eddie a hug when he was over and sent leftovers home with him for Wayne.
It was strange adding friends to his tiny circle from before to now like a science experiment when he overlapped groups. He knew Robin would be bounding out quickly. She was an anxiously on time person. All her nervous energy forcing herself to be prompt.
She yanked open the passenger side door aggressively, “Do I look okay?”
Eddie stared at her, “What? No hello? No thanks for the ride Eddie?”
“Fucking no, doofus. Do. I. Look. Okay?” She punctuated sharply at him again.
Eddie pretended to cower away from her hands up by his face, “Yes outfit, makeup, and hair good. Manic face? A bit much.”
She punched him in the arm, “Relax! It’s just the usual suspects, wait? Have you been lying about being platonic and actually like Steve?” He tossed back at her and began driving.
She gave him a sour look. Eddie knew about Robin the same way Robin knew about Eddie. They had gotten high, bonded, and shared their deep dark preferences. She assured him Steve knew first -and mark one more in the column for Steve Harrington being not a douche at how he had reacted.
Eddie also got across to Robin that he’d tell him if the timing was ever right or if it came up naturally. That sometimes just because a dude is cool with his lesbian bestie doesn’t mean he’s cool with the gay town freak.
“Nancy’s coming and when I said she could invite Jonathan she was all, we could use some time apart, and like what does that mean?” Robin obsessed.
Eddie processed as he drove, “And we’re concerned with how we look for movie night with Miss Priss Wheeler?”
Robin made a high pitched noise of distress, “No because that would make me a monster. She’s my best friends ex. And has a boyfriend!”
Eddie’s eyes went wide he could feel Robin’s guilt rolling off of her in waves, “Um, Robbie hate to break it to ya but we fought literal monsters and that ain’t you.”
She blasted his semi-busted AC in the van, “I know it’ll never happen or be reciprocated, but I feel like I’m betraying Steve and like unspoken bro code. Why do I feel so awful?”
“Unrequited love my dear Robs. You’re a decent human being so case in point, not a monster.” He joked to her.
She snorted a pathetic laugh but he could feel the suffocating energy of her guilt receding. They pulled up to Harrington’s and he counted it as a win.
“If it makes you feel any better I don’t think he’d be mad at you.” Eddie said calmly.
Robin studied his face, “I’m not sure if that makes me feel better or worse. What do I gain in telling him besides him knowing about something that will never happen. Even Vickie shacked back up with her college boyfriend. I’m a perpetual loser Eddie. Totally unkissable.” She whined before the got out.
“Well us perpetual losers gotta stick together Robbie.” Eddie teased and stuck out his tongue.
She huffed another small laugh, “Let’s go see what Steve picked, he wouldn’t let me know what he had checked out tonight, even hid the videos under his shirt to keep me from peeking on the ride home.” Robin rolled her eyes and hopped out of Eddie’s van.
“This should be interesting.” Eddie said mostly to himself.
What he was loathe to admit to Robin was he understood exactly how she felt. His stupid big fat, tail waggingly, pathetic crush he’d been harboring on the King of Hawkins long before the upside down was on his radar.
Eddie was also an unkissable loser. Twenty and never been kissed. Twenty and almost died having never been really kissed. Outside of spin the bottle and drinking games, never kissed by someone he wanted, or who wanted him.
He held that secret almost as close to his heart as turning into a fuckin’ dog. He wasn’t sure which was more embarrassing.
Eddie could admit to Robin that he liked men. What he couldn’t bring himself to admit to anyone was that he liked Steve, for years.
He was painfully aware that it was just barking up the wrong tree. Steve was one of the straightest guys he knew.
***
Robin let herself right into Steve’s place no knock, no warning, just waltzed right in. Eddie had never seen friendship the way it was formed between Steve and Robin. All encompassing and unapologetic.
“Dingus? We’re here! It’s just gonna be Nance joining us, no Jonathan.” She yelled as she took of her shoes.
Steve bounded down from upstairs. Hair perfectly falling and volume reignited since work. He had changed into an old Hawkins basketball tee shirt snug across his chest and was wearing the kind of jeans that you could see which back pocket he put his wallet in they were so regularly worn.
Like a second skin Eddie’s mind supplied as he tried to discreetly catalogue this version of Steve. Under his subtle aftershave Eddie picked up the essence of Steve- the slightly citrus and woodsy scent that was natural to him.
The smell made Eddie want to let his tongue loll out and roll over belly up like the stupid critter he was. A drool-inducing smell. He couldn’t be more of a creep, and Robin thought she was the monster.
“Hey! Yeah that’s fine she phoned earlier so I wouldn’t over order “ Steve said as he ushered them along into the kitchen.
He grabbed a few beers from the fridge and handed them out popping open his own. “Ordered what?” Robin asked as the door bell rang.
Steve shot Robin goofy finger guns that made Eddie smile at what a dork he was, “Robs you must’ve summoned it. Gimme a sec…” He went to grab the door.
Robin shrugged and opened her beer, Eddie had already taken a generous gulp of his. Nancy called Steve ahead of time to let him know Jonathan wouldn’t be here? There was some kind of energy between them months ago in the upside down, and Steve had been sulking about Robin’s teasing over his lack of dates earlier.
Contrary to popular belief Eddie wasn’t dumb.
So getting through tonight meant getting some liquid courage in his body. Steve walked in with three pizza boxes balanced in his arms. Beer and pizza was the perfect distraction for Eddie.
He had a couple of joints already rolled and just waiting to be smoked. He fished one out as Steve flipped the boxes open and set them out.
“I got a spinach and mushroom one.” Steve set down the first box and continued, “Sausage, onion and green pepper- and just pepperoni.” Steve said as he grabbed paper towels for them and plates.
“Wanna smoke before pizza?” Eddie asked.
Robin shook her head, “I’m good with the beer.”
Steve gave him an assessing look, “Yeah count me in, we can step out to the back patio.”
Eddie felt goosebumps raise on his arms as Steve brushed by him close to open the sliding glass door, “You don’t mind staying in and listening for Nance?” He asked Robin who had grabbed a slice of the spinach and mushroom pizza.
She shook he head and shooed them out, “Nah, no problem. Maybe the weed will help you chill from earlier.”
Steve rolled his eyes, “Thought I was in a better mood, until you had to bring it up again Robs.”
She smirked and gave him the middle finger that he returned gladly at her as he and Eddie headed outside.
Eddie flicked open his lighter and let the flame kiss the twisted paper of the joint letting it catch before he inhaled. A deep hit swirling into his lungs like instant relief.
He handed the joint to Steve who also took a hefty toke coughing slightly on his exhale.
“Aw, baby’s first joint?” Eddie teased.
Steve scowled at him, “You and Robin are so mean to me.”
“Course I’m not I’m sharing my private stash with you Harrington.” Eddie said as Steve passed the joint back.
Steve gave him a shrug as they passed the joint between them a few more rounds. Steve slid down to sit against the brick wall of the house. Eddie looked down at him, “You okay though, man?” Eddie asked quietly.
Steve looked up at him, “Yeah, I mean mostly, just…” He flopped his hand out in front of him in a noncommittal gesture.
Eddie slid down to sit next to him, “I get it. Kind of.”
“I know you do.” Steve said barely audible.
“You know Robbie’s just playing around about the dating stuff, I mean look at her it’s not like she’s out there calendar full of dates.” Eddie grinned.
Steve huffed next to him, “Yeah but that’s different she can’t-“ He cut himself off.
“She told me- remember? Also Vickie’s back with her boyfriend.” Eddie shared.
Steve vaguely remembered that Robs had let him know that Eddie knew now too. He had kind of forgotten until now.
“Ugh, I know I got the full two hour melt down about it last week.” Steve groaned.
“What? Special treatment, I only got a one hour one lamenting about how she’d die alone. Favoritism.” Eddie jokingly scoffed.
Steve laughed. Eddie could die happy, atleast he had cheered him up.
"Duh man, Rob's my other half of course I’m her favorite.” He smirked that old cocky smile.
Eddie felt his stomach swoop. “Either way no one is expecting anything of you. If you need a break or whatever.”
Steve nodded and reached out for the joint almost down to the end as he pinched it between his fingers to get the last toke. He held it for a pause and let the smoke drift from his perfect lips. Eddie willed himself to look away.
“It’s just I want to be that Steve, sometimes, I just haven’t been feeling it lately- it’s all so surface. Meaningless.” He said eyes taking on a sad look.
Eddie didn’t want that, not for movie night.
“Hey man no biggie take a breather, clear your head, then back into the game when you’re ready. That’s the closest thing I’ve got to a sports reference for ya. Um- a real home run?” Eddie gave him a goofy grin.
Steve started laughing again, “Nice attempt Munson.” Steve clasped his hand on Eddie’s shoulder as he pushed himself up.
“What about you? Anyone you’re interested in?” Steve asked as an afterthought.
Eddie looked up at him, “Nah, me? Not a super hot commodity before everything. Just tryin’ to make it through the summer unmaimed.”
Steve gave him a studious look, “I mean you’re in a band and have great hair, nice eyes- can’t imagine there isn’t some groupie chick who wouldn’t look past all the other stuff.”
Did Steve just say he had nice eyes? Eddie must be well and truly stoned.
Eddie laughed lightly, “Well shit I’ll keep an eye out then for someone open to a deviant cult leader. What I said still applies King Steve don’t stress I’m sure the right girl will come along and reignite that, what was it again? Six kids life plan.”
Steve listened as he looked intently at the other man. He could admit that Eddie wasn’t a bad looking guy. Not by a long shot he was charismatic and kind of pretty.
Wait- pretty?
He must be more high than he thought. He held out a hand to pull Eddie back to standing, “Thanks, might be changing that plan though the Party is basically making me regret that idea. Let’s go devour some pizza.”
He ran his hand through his hair and gave a shy smile. A tried and true flirting trick he always resorted to. He paused in the motion, was he primping for Eddie Munson? His mind was a jumbled mess today.
“Anytime, but yeah definitely ready for the ‘za!” Eddie said as he looked away from Steve’s soft smile. He slid open the door dipping into a silly curtsey as he insisted, “After you my liege.”
He tried his best to shake the feeling of being under Steve’s assessing gaze the last few minutes. Something had shifted between them outside.
His thoughts foggy from the joint had his mind playing tricks on him and his senses filled with the dank scent of marijuana and the underlying notes that smelled like Steve. He wished he could bottle it up.
Steve snorted at him on his way in, “Nerd.” He said with fondness in his tone that warmed Eddie’s insides.
He followed after him to see Nancy leaning on the kitchen island chatting with a stammering Robin. Smooth Robbie, Eddie thought to himself as he grabbed a slice of pepperoni. Nancy gave the boys a small finger wave in hello and sipped her own beer.
***
They settled into the living room beers replenished and pizza leftovers in the refrigerator. Steve stood in front of the other three already lounging on the couch. He held the tapes behind his back as they waited for the reveal.
“All right, pick a side!” Steve said.
Robin snorted, “Dingus we aren’t your children you can just show us the options and we can choose, like adults.”
Nancy giggled next to her as she took another long pull from her beer.
“Aw, don’t be like that. They’re two very different movies so like, I know it won’t cut it as an easy vote system, so this works best.” Steve complained at them.
Eddie started laughing too. Edges still soft from his earlier high pleasantly clouding his brain, “C’mon Nance and Robbie one of you pick. Let him have his fun.”
Robin shoved Eddie’s shoulder, “Why don’t you pick so we can blame you if the choice sucks.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Eddie said looking affronted, “I bear no responsibility if the choice sucks that’s all on Harrington.”
Steve was looking more and more annoyed, “You all suck looks like I’ll just-“
Eddie cut him off and yelled, “Right, I choose right side!”
Steve preened and straightened up after someone finally played his game, “Why thank you for your participation Munson. Looks like tonight we’ll be enjoying…”
Robin threw popcorn at him, “Get on with it Steve-o!”
Steve stuck his tongue out at her and rebutted, “Right the kids aren't here? So you wanna act like one Robs?”
Robin clicked her tongue at him, “What’s the movie?”
Steve flung his right arm in front of him in a flourish and looked down, “Blade Runner.”
Eddie clapped, “Ooh, solid choice haven’t seen it since I snuck into theaters when it was released.”
Steve grinned at Eddie, “Ah man but you’ve seen it? Dustin’s been hounding me to let him watch and I wanted to screen it before saying yes or no.”
Hounding Eddie giggled to himself, “Yeah but it’s been awhile and it’s good.”
Nancy spoke up, “What was the other choice?” Steve set the other VHS down.
Nancy grabbed the video, “Breakfast Club? I wanna watch the cute one. We’ve dealt with so much sci-fi shit in real life.” She protested.
“This is why I made you guys choose the way I did. Now it’s gonna be up for debate!”
Steve stood in front of them hands on his hips and face stern. Eddie leaned over to Robin, “Careful don’t wanna upset the babysitter.”
The three of them began laughing as Steve walked away into the kitchen to grab another beer. He should’ve let the kids come over. Atleast Dustin and Lucas would have his back.
Eddie followed after him, “Hey we can watch Breakfast Club and maybe later this week I can watch Blade Runner with you and Henderson?”
Steve turned and handed Eddie another beer, “Really?” He asked wide eyed and pupils still large from the weed.
“Yeah not to come as a shock but my social calendar is pretty wide open.” Eddie shrugged.
“Okay, um yes. I get to let Dustin know or he’s gonna think you’re cooler than me.” Steve agreed.
Eddie laughed and snapped open the tab of his beer, “Chill, you can tell him and he’ll still think I’m cooler than you because that’s just a fact.”
Steve threw his head back and laughed, “Whatever helps you sleep at night man.”
They made their way back out to the girls as Steve popped in Breakfast Club and wedged himself between Robin and Eddie. Something inside Eddie felt giddy at Steve choosing to weasel his way snug between them instead of closer to Nancy.
He didn’t want to read into it but couldn’t help himself. Half way through the movie the weed and beer must’ve pulled Steve under. His head rested on Eddie’s shoulder as he softly snored. Eddie fought to be normal about it.
Something in his chest begged to whine at the contact and rub his nose behind Steve’s ear to capture more of the citrusy, woodsy, innately Steve smell. The casual touch was something he knew he'd replay in his brain for weeks.
Robin caught his eye and looked between him and the dozing Steve between them. She narrowed her glance at him as Eddie widened his own eyes innocently and shook his head.
“Must be tired.” He whispered to her.
Nancy peeked over Robin and huffed out a laugh, “I think it’s physically impossible for Steve to stay awake through a movie if it’s started past 8.”
Robin laughed with her as they watched the rest of the high school clique kids get a better understanding of each other. Sure Steve could be seen as the Jock but something in Eddie saw him more as the Princess. Another thought he pushed away as Steve’s soft hair wedged closer to under his chin.
His pulse rocketed as he tried to sit still and not disrupt the man sleeping on his chest. The credits began rolling as Robin jostled Steve, “Wake up, so unprofessional falling asleep as the babysitter.”
He woke up slowly rubbing his eyes his soft gaze landing on Eddie as he sat up and swiped at the now dried drool on the side of his face, “Sorry man.” He said voice sleep rough and look sheepish.
Eddie wished to see him wake up in another context, “No problem-o King Steve I was the royal pillow this eve.”
Steve snorted as Robin hissed “dweeb.” Under her breath.
“Did you want a ride home Robbie?” Eddie threw back at her with no real heat in the words.
Nancy got up and stretched, “I should head home me and Jonathan are driving to some art show in Indy tomorrow.”
Robin stood too, “That sounds fun.” She hedged.
Nancy shrugged, “Should be interesting. I mean um, so Jonathan didn’t apply to Emmerson so it’ll just be me in the fall. We have a lot to catch up on.”
The other three silently took in Nancy’s confession. The whole plan had been for her and Jonathan to attend college together and be done with long distance.
Steve looked to her, “You okay Nance?” He asked face full of empathy.
She nodded tight lipped, “Yeah, yes. Thank you like I said we just need to talk, that’s all.” Her face looked determined.
Eddie cleared his throat, “Uh if you need someone to talk to or …some weed? Well y’know how to find me.”
Nancy started laughing, “Guys I don’t think it’ll be anything bad we just need to work on communication a bit.”
Eddie handed her one of the pre-rolled joints as she started to laugh more. Robin huffed, “If you wanna talk to someone not them yadda yadda.”
Nancy gently grasped Robin’s forearm, “Thanks Robin. Maybe someone to share this with too.” She said sweetly.
“Hey!” Eddie acted affronted for not being offered his own weed.
Nancy laughed. “You gifted it to me. No take backs.”
Robin giggled, “Sorry if she wants intelligent conversation over you two knuckleheads.”
“Really Robs?” Steve raised an eyebrow, “Intelligent? What’d we talk about at work today? Which Care Bear each Party member would be?”
Nancy smirked, “Care Bears? Really guys not like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles something a little more badass.”
Robin rolled her eyes at Steve, “Whatever Grumpy Bear. Eddie ready to go?”
“Wait, which bear am I?” Eddie asked.
Robin tucked her arm through the crook of Eddie’s elbow as she guided him to the door, “Wouldn’t you like to know.” She said as Steve walked the group of them out.
Robin slipped her arm from Eddie’s and hugged Steve, “Pick me up for our shift tomorrow?”
He jokingly pushed her away, “Oh now you’re nice to me because you need something?”
“Exactly.” She said back easily.
Nancy laughed again, “Thanks for movie night I totally needed this. See you guys later.” She said giving out quick hugs to all three.
Eddie felt something akin to jealously as she hugged Steve. They waved her off before Robin and Eddie got into his van.
“Hey Eddie let me know if Friday works and I’ll ask Dustin?” Steve said as they stood around in his driveway.
Eddie nodded, “Like I said social calendar’s pretty wide open big boy. So Friday’s good for me.”
“Hey!” Robin smacked Steve’s chest, “Don’t make plans without me in front of me.”
“Cool your jets Robs you wanna watch Blade Runner with me, Dusty and Eddie?” Steve offered.
“Oh no, definitely not have fun with that.” She gave him a grossed out face.
“Boys night!” Eddie said putting his hands up to make devil horns.
“Sure have fun with your son you two. See you tomorrow morning Stevie.” Robin said as she got buckled in.
Steve watched as Eddie recklessly pulled out from the driveway and sped noisily down his quiet street.
Eddie laid in bed after dropping Robin off thinking about the weight of Steve’s head on his chest for longer than he’d like to admit before falling into a fitful asleep.
***